Our Christmas Volunteer Experience

Sometimes we have to be reminded of the grandma that’s raising her grandkids. The children who are fatherless because their father was murdered. The young mother who’s raising her young children all by herself. The family that just can’t get ahead.

There are many people who can’t afford to go out and buy their children Christmas gifts. Or Christmas pictures. Or maybe even feed them a decent meal.

Sometimes we need a reminder of these struggles.

Some of us have come from a struggle ourselves. Like me. I was raised by my grandma. I know first-hand what it’s like to not have all the extras. But I still need that reminder that there are some still facing hard times.

Tonight I volunteered @ Neighbor for Neighbor to help out with their yearly “A Night with Santa” event. I volunteered with my 7 year old daughter Maraya. I work very hard and I’ve been blessed to be able to provide an enjoyable Christmas to her. I don’t take this for granted though.

At the event I was reminded of the many dysfunctions that some children are facing today. Many were with their grandma or even their grandpa. I saw one young boy with only his father. And mostly I saw tons of single mothers with their children- no father figure present. Maraya even made this observation. She said that she saw a lot of kids without their dads.

My heart goes out to the young children that are enduring heartache. However, I do also have to remember that struggle does build character. As I even reflect back on my life I would not be as strong and determined had it not been for some of the struggles that I faced. So, this gives me peace. Peace knowing that though they may struggle now, they do not have to struggle always.

I know that there is a God in heaven that is working in each of our lives, no matter how bad it may appear. He has good plans for each of us. I pray that every little child may be gently pushed into the destiny that God has planned for them.

I also pray that we all pay more attention to the struggles that may be in our vicinity. Maybe it’s a problem that we could easily resolve. Maybe it’s a hug, a kind word, a meal, a doll. I believe we’re all here to help out and make the world a better place in any way that we can.

We can’t do everything, but we each can do something. Show a little love not only this holiday season, but every day. We must remember those that are struggling and do what we can to ease their burdens. We never know what the future holds. We may need the love returned to us one day.

With love,

Margo

P.S. Stay tuned. The next post will be by my 7 year old daughter sharing her thoughts on the volunteer experience.

(I wrote this the night that we volunteered, but just got around to posting it. Sorry about the delay!) 🙂

About Margo

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I'm grateful for the opportunity to share with you what I'm learning as I follow Christ. My aim is to inspire you to follow Christ no matter what you face. Following Christ does come with tribulation, but it also provides countless victories because Christ has overcome the world.

Margo

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